Man guilty of murdering Simon Holdsworth in Sheffield

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33249030

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A factory worker has been found guilty of beating to death a colleague who he claimed was a "very good friend".

Simon Holdsworth was attacked in 2013 as he made his way home from a shift at a manufacturing firm in Sheffield.

Mr Holdsworth's family said: "His life was brutally ended in the most horrific circumstances. Our lives will never be the same again."

Shaun Wainwright, 46, will be sentenced on Wednesday but a judge warned him he was facing life imprisonment.

Detectives said Wainwright, of Dagnam Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, attacked Mr Holdsworth because of a dispute over the accused's wallet.

'Violent bully'

The pair worked together at Fluorocarbon Bakeware Systems (FBS), in the city.

Teesside Crown Court was told Wainwright had work place disputes before where he had physically assaulted people.

The 36-year-old victim suffered severe skull fractures and cuts to the scalp. His body was found on playing fields at Rainbow Forge Primary School, Sheffield in December 2013.

Wainwright, who has a history of assault, harassment and theft, told police he did not murder his colleague, calling him a "very good friend and a workmate".

Peter Moulson QC, prosecuting, had said Wainwright laid in wait for Mr Holdsworth after the pair had finished work.

The court was told Mr Holdsworth got off a bus and had finished a mobile phone call as he entered the playing fields when he was repeatedly hit with a bar or bat.

Det Chief Insp Phil Etheridge said: "He's physically much bigger than the victim and overpowered him, leaving him for dead.

"All of this points to the actions of a violent bully.

"The defendant has a short fuse and responded with maximum force over a minor grievance."